New York Rangers: Top 10 prospects entering 2018

9. Yegor Rykov, D [21] (5-132, 2016)

Stats (SKA St. Petersburg, KHL): 53 gp, 2 g, 12 a, 14 p (13 pgp, 0 g, 2 a, 2 p);
Stats (SKA-Neva St. Petersburg, VHL): 7 gp, 0 g, 6 a, 6 p (8 pgp, 1 g, 1 a, 2 p).

A good defensive defenseman who didn’t have the best offensive numbers in the KHL this past season, Yegor Rykov is shaping up to be a future member of the New York Rangers’ blueline. He was tied for 56th in defensive scoring in Russia, adding just two goals and 14 points in 53 games. Again, not the greatest numbers. But Rykov is one hell of a defenseman in his own zone, and at 6’2″ has the power to push forwards out of the dirty areas. That’s what the New York Rangers should be looking at this season in terms of what Rykov does.

Rykov is one hell of a defenseman in his own zone, and at 6’2″ has the power to push forwards out of the dirty areas

Rykov, of course, has some offensive value. He was near a point-per-game pace in the VHL, Russia’s second league, despite not scoring a goal until the playoffs. Between the two leagues, Rykov played in 21 playoff games. He played consistent minutes with one of the best teams in the KHL, including in the postseason. Rykov is a hell of a defensive force, which is why he gets on this list without offensive numbers.

He’ll have a tough path to the NHL and needs to prove himself in North America. The Rangers can’t have as many eyes on him in the VHL as they can in the A, and that’s why he’ll need to transition. Even if it turns out he’s an excellent defensive defenseman on North American ice, Rykov is still a few years away from the NHL. He’s back in Russia this season, and right now it doesn’t look like he’s got the highest likelihood of playing consistently with the Rangers.